Nuuk to Narsarsuaq Southern Coastal Road
Greenland's highway backbone through Viking country.
This 165-kilometer gravel highway represents Greenland’s most ambitious road project, linking the capital Nuuk with Narsarsuaq Airport through some of the island’s most accessible terrain. The route winds through the Sermersooq municipality, crossing multiple river valleys and offering views of the Greenland Ice Sheet’s edge. Key waypoints include the Kangerlussuaq River crossing and the ruins of Gardar, Erik the Red’s original settlement, making this both a practical transport corridor and a journey through Viking history.
Rated moderate due to loose gravel surfaces, creek crossings, and exposure to sudden weather changes. Any high-clearance vehicle can handle it in summer, but winter attempts require serious cold-weather preparation and survival gear. Best traveled June through September when temperatures stay above freezing and most rivers are fordable. Fuel available only at endpoints, so carry extra. This is your gateway to understanding Greenland’s scale — empty, beautiful, and unforgiving as hell.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 102 mi / 165 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2800 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Nuuk, Sermersooq |
| Land manager | Government of Greenland Roads Authority |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this without a lift?
A high-clearance 2WD can technically manage it, but a stock all-terrain 4x4 is the smarter call given the gravel surface, water crossings, and remoteness — a breakdown here is a serious problem, not a minor inconvenience.
Is the road passable outside of summer?
June through September is your window. Outside those months, snow, ice, and frozen crossings make this route dangerous or outright impassable, and rescue resources in this part of Greenland are extremely limited.
Do you need a permit to drive this road or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route itself. Dispersed camping is allowed along the corridor, but stay clear of private land near settlements and respect any posted restrictions near archaeological sites — Norse ruins in this area are protected.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The rougher gravel sections south of Nuuk with uneven terrain and unbridged water crossings are where things get real. Crossings vary with rainfall and snowmelt, so depth is unpredictable — scout on foot before you drive through, every time.
How do I handle fuel planning with 102 miles of no cell service and almost no infrastructure?
Carry enough fuel for at least 150 miles of range — there are no guaranteed fuel stops between Nuuk and Narsarsuaq, and you will have zero cell service the entire route if something goes sideways. A satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach is not optional on this one.
Trail track
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